Brittany's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Langs Beach
Beautiful white sand surf beach.
This is a beautiful wild surf beach.
Find the path on the right of the main car park and you will find Picnic Bay, a lovely white sand beach that is lovely to swim in as it has no waves and gets deep quite quickly.
33 locals recommend
Mangawhai Heads
This is a beautiful wild surf beach.
Find the path on the right of the main car park and you will find Picnic Bay, a lovely white sand beach that is lovely to swim in as it has no waves and gets deep quite quickly.
If your vehicle is okay on a gravel road this is a must visit.
On one side you have an untouched white sand surf beach, a 2 minute walk over the hill gets you to a wild rocky, shelly beach that reminds me of the west coast and in between is a shell filled mermaid pool!
25 locals recommend
Te Arai Beach Reserve
Te Arai Point RoadIf your vehicle is okay on a gravel road this is a must visit.
On one side you have an untouched white sand surf beach, a 2 minute walk over the hill gets you to a wild rocky, shelly beach that reminds me of the west coast and in between is a shell filled mermaid pool!
This is more than a normal playground. This area is cared for and has been created by volunteers in the community.
There is a tennis court, two pump tracks, a large skateboard park, sand, swings, playground equipment under lots of shade sails, a pirate ship and a flying fox. There is also a large outdoor gym/exercise equipment.
24 locals recommend
Mangawhai Activity Zone
191 Molesworth DrThis is more than a normal playground. This area is cared for and has been created by volunteers in the community.
There is a tennis court, two pump tracks, a large skateboard park, sand, swings, playground equipment under lots of shade sails, a pirate ship and a flying fox. There is also a large outdoor gym/exercise equipment.
Saturday Morning done right.
We go early and get coffee and breakfast, listen to the live music and enjoy the view across the harbour. Sometimes we are still there in the sun at lunchtime with a beer!
Lots of stalls, local craft, produce, clothing, art and delicious food trucks.
77 locals recommend
Mangawhai Tavern Market
2 Moir StSaturday Morning done right.
We go early and get coffee and breakfast, listen to the live music and enjoy the view across the harbour. Sometimes we are still there in the sun at lunchtime with a beer!
Lots of stalls, local craft, produce, clothing, art and delicious food trucks.
This requires sturdy shoes and a fair level of fitness.
Beautiful views!
39 locals recommend
Mangawhai Cliff Walk
This requires sturdy shoes and a fair level of fitness.
Beautiful views!
Food scene
The chocolate here is lovely but my favourite cafe in Auckland is Bennett’s, sit in the courtyard and enjoy some delicious food and great coffee.
The kitchen closes at 2pm.
60 locals recommend
Bennetts Of Mangawhai
52 Moir StThe chocolate here is lovely but my favourite cafe in Auckland is Bennett’s, sit in the courtyard and enjoy some delicious food and great coffee.
The kitchen closes at 2pm.
Wood fired pizzas for takeaway or dine in and enjoy cocktails and excellent food.
37 locals recommend
The Dune
40 Moir StWood fired pizzas for takeaway or dine in and enjoy cocktails and excellent food.
This is super fresh and very tasty Mexican food.
The menu for Gringas is inside the pantry.
Call and order before you head out to collect.
13 locals recommend
Gringas
7 Mangawhai Heads RdThis is super fresh and very tasty Mexican food.
The menu for Gringas is inside the pantry.
Call and order before you head out to collect.
A family friendly pub with good pub food.
Clean inside and good outside dining options too.
77 locals recommend
Mangawhai Tavern Market
2 Moir StA family friendly pub with good pub food.
Clean inside and good outside dining options too.
City advice
Getting around
Shuttle Bus
There is a free shuttle bus between Mangawhai village, where our house is, and the Mangawhai heads shops to further to the beach.